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PSYC 101 > 5) Drugs & Addiction > Flashcards

5) Drugs & Addiction Flashcards

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1
Q

Psychoactive Drugs

A

Chemicals that influence subjective experience and behavior by acting on CNS

Alter consciousness by changing chemical processes in neurons

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2
Q

What is the basic definition of drugs?

A
  1. affects physiological functioning in some way
  2. exogenous
    - comes from outside of body
    (opposite of endogenous like insulin)
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3
Q

What are the ways that drugs scan be administered, and discuss the pros/cons

A
  1. Ingestion
    - easy & safe
    - unpredictable effects depend on type of food already in stomach
  2. Injection
    - speedy & predictable
    - less time to counteract effects since its fast
    - infection
    - scarring & collapsed veins
  3. Inhalation
    - speedy
    - unpredictable effects
    - damage lungs
  4. Absorption
    - via mucus membranes (nose, under tongue, rectum
    - damage membranes
  5. Transdermally
    - through the skin
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4
Q

Drug Penetration of CNS

A

Blood stream -> blood vessels -> blood-brain barrier only allows some to pass into CNS

Some drugs act diffusely on neuron membranes throughout CNS

Others act more specific ways
- Bind to synaptic receptors, change NT concentration, etc
- Either serve to inhibit or excite

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5
Q

Drug Metabolism

A

convert active drugs into non active ones so that they can’t pass through the blood brain barrier into the brain

  • liver enzymes change chemical structure of drug
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6
Q

Drug tolerance vs sensitization

A

Repeated exposures produce a diminished effect
Need higher dose to maintain constant effect
ex/ alcohol

VS

Repeated exposures produce a heightened effect
Need smaller dose to maintain constant effect
ex/ cocaine

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7
Q

Specificity of drug tolerance/sensitization

A
  1. Cross tolerance
    Drug can produce tolerance/sensitization to other drugs that act by same mechanism
    ex/ act on same receptors, body reacts similarly
  2. Only develop tolerance/sensitization to some effects of a drug but not to others
    ex/ sensitive to heart rate increase but tolerant to psychological effects
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8
Q

Drug withdrawal

A

Adverse physiological reaction when suddenly removed from a drug used for long time
Ppl who suffer from withdrawal effects are physically dependent on that drug
Effects almost always the opposite of the initial effects of the drug

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9
Q

Severity of withdrawal depends on

A

drug type
how much is taken
duration of use
how fast its taken away

biggest effects: big dose over long time, and rapid redrawal

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10
Q

Physical and psychological dependence

A

physical: ppl take to prevent withdrawal effects

psychological: ppl take cuz of intense cravings

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11
Q

Drugs and conditioning

A

UCS: drug injection
UCR: drug effects
Repeated = compensatory response (tolerance)

NS/CS: context / envo
- Leads to conditioned compensatory response
- CS does NOT cause drug effects!
(this is diff from classical conditioning)

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12
Q

Alcohol

A

Alcohol molecules are small and soluble, invades all parts of body
Depressant

Sedative - calming effect
Hypnotic - sleeping effect

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13
Q

What drugs causes the most fatalities and are most widely used?

A

alcohol & tobacco

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14
Q

Short term effects of alcohol

A

Red Flush
Dilation of blood vessels
Leads to decrease in body temperature (hypothermia)

Dehydration
Diuretic, increases production of urine

Low doses
Stimulate neural firing & facilitate social interaction

Moderate doses
Cognitive, perceptual, verbal, motor impairment
Loss of control can lead to socially unacceptable outcomes

High doses
Unconsciousness
Risk of death from respiratory depression (if blood levels reach 0.5%)

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15
Q

Withdrawal effects of alcohol

A

Hangover
Mild syndrome of headache, nausea, vomiting

Withdrawal syndrome
When drink everyday and then suddenly not drink
3 stages

5hrs after last drink
hangover + severe tremors, agitation, cramps, sweating

15-30hrs after last drink
Convulsive activity

1-2 days after last drink and lasts 3-4 days
Delirium tremens (DTs)
Hallucination, delusions, agitation, fever, high blood pressure / heart rate

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16
Q

Chronic effects of alcohol

A

Brain damage
May lead to Korsakoff’s syndrome = can’t form new memories

Cirrhosis
Scarring liver
Major cause of death among alcoholics

Irritate lining of digestive tract
Increase risk of oral & liver cancer, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, gastritis
Inflammation of pancreas & stomach

On the roads and in home
Perception is impaired, some ppl get more aggressive

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Consumed by pregnant mother, child can suffer from:
Brain damage / mental retardation
Poor coordination
Low birth weight or muscle tone
Slow growth or physical deformity

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17
Q

What are some reasons why people drink alcohol?

A

Sociocultural influences

Addictive personality
May predispose people to use drugs

Learning & expectations
Drink alcohol because they believe it’s a stress reducer

Genetic Influences
Some genes cause unpleasant response to alcohol so we don’t drink as much (ex/ blushing and heart beating)

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18
Q

Heroin short term & overdose effects

A

Available & inexpensive & addicting

Short Term
Anti anxiety and pain relieving
Pleasure

Overdose effects
Slow breathing
Hypertension
Blue lips and nails
Muscle spasms
Coma, death

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19
Q

Heroin chronic effects

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A

Direct hazards are quite minor

Constipation
Menstrual irregularity
Reduced sex drive

20
Q

Heroin withdrawal syndrome

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A

Looks like a flu, most severe 2-3 days after last dose

Restlessness
Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, sweating
Fitful sleep
Chills, shivering, sweating, cramps, nausea, muscle spasms etc

21
Q

Oxycodone

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A

Semisynthetic prescription pain killer
1.5x stronger than morphine

22
Q

Fentanyl

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A

Most widely used synthetic prescription pain killer
50-100x stronger than morphine

23
Q

Carfentanyl

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A

Synthetic anesthetic for large animals like elephants
10 000x stronger than morphine

24
Q

The problem with illegal drugs

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A

Impure, not regulated, being made in somebody’s basement
Often what’s killing ppl isn’t the drug itself but the stuff added into drug (ex/ add fentanyl)
Unknown potency…

Issues to consider
Purity of drug
Dosage of drug
Crime (tendency to sell illegal stuff to make money)
Taxes (no taxes if not legal)
Drug harm
Morality

25
Addicts
Habitual drug users who continue to use a drug despite adverse effects AND Have tried and failed to stop using it
26
What are some theories of addiction?
Moral Model Biomedical / Disease Model - physical dependence theory - positive incentive theory - incentive sensitization theory Environmental Behavioral Learning Cognitive Behavioural
27
Moral model of addiction
Using drugs is a choice made by ppl with low moral standards / values Treatment shall be punishment Criticism: what about those with high morals?
28
Biomedical / Disease models of addiction
Addiction is a disease, incurable, progressive, and possibly fatal if left untreated Means will always be an addict and will continue to increase the dosage Types of theories: 1. physical dependence 2. positive incentive 3. incentive sensitization General Criticism: Exposure doesn’t always lead to addiction! Abstinence might not be necessary People can overcome the addiction Spontaneous recovery (changes in life) Removes personal responsibility If they believe it’s disease, might not seek treatment and try to overcome
29
Physical dependence theories
A biomedical / disease model Traps addicts in a cycle of using and withdrawing Trying to prevent the withdrawal effects Criticism Stop then restarting (cuz no more withdrawal symptoms already) Mild withdrawal drugs Binge-detox pattern of use due to partying, or can’t afford
30
Positive incentive theories
A biomedical / disease model Primary factor is craving for rewarding properties of drug Criticism Actual pleasure =/ anticipated pleasure (think it’s more pleasurable than it actually is, pleasure is decreased over time)
31
Incentive sensitization theories
A biomedical / disease model Positive incentive value of addictive drugs increases with repeated use Sensitization of anticipated pleasure, appeal of the drug even if we have built tolerance to the actual drug
32
Environmental models of addiction
Bruce Alexander’s “Rat Park” Lots of food, toys, mates, water Rats chose not to use drugs If one is living a fulfilling life, has friends and family, feels in control = reduce risk of addiction Stress, mental illness, poverty, childhood trauma are risk factors for addiction Criticisms Oversimplify cures for addiction Some drugs are very addictive There are also biological and physiological influences Rats aren’t the same as humans!
33
Behavioural models of addiction
Taste and immediate effects -> pleasure = positive reinforcement Effects of drugs remove negative feelings = negative reinforcement Environmental cues associated with drug use (classical conditioning)
34
Learning models of addiction
learn to do drugs by observing others
35
Cognitive behavioural models of addiction
Contradicts disease model Expectancy effects (alcohol) impacts behaviour
36
Name the different types of drugs
Stimulants Increase activity of CNS Caffeine Cocaine Nicotine Amphetamines Depressants Decrease activity of CNS Alcohol Psychedelics / Hallucinogens Alter perception, mood, and thoughts Marijuana Narcotics / Opiates Sense of euphoria, induce sleep, relieve pain Opium Morphine Heroine Fentanyl
37
Caffeine
Stimulant Most widely consumed psychoactive drug Cocoa, coffee, tea leaves Can overdose and die
38
Caffeine short term effects
Increase alertness, blood pressure, breathing rate, urination (diuretic) Improve focus, reaction time, endurance (but not in terms of muscle) Reduce our perception of fatigue
39
Caffeine long term effects
Nervousness, tummy irritation insomnia, fatigue NOT linked to risk of cancer or heart disease May protect from liver disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s Caution for children & pregnant women
40
Caffeine withdrawal effects
Headache, fatigue irritability, depressed Difficulty concentrating
41
Cocaine
Most powerful natural stimulant Crack = highly concentrated Effects appear quickly, helps perform tasks Dangerous when used with alcohol cuz produces smt dangerous
42
Cocaine short term effects
Euphoria, happiness, energy Hypersensitive to sight, sound, touch Sociability & confidence Irritability Paranoia (extreme and unreasonable distrust in others) High doses - irregular heart rhythm & elevated heat rate - heart attacks & strokes - sweating, nausea, confusion - seizures & uncontrollable muscle movement - weak, shaky limbs - death
43
Cocaine long term effects
Snorting: loss sense of smell nose bleeds & runny nose swallowing problems Injestion: bowel decay reduced blood flow Injection: higher risk of being infected by disease
44
Cocaine withdrawal effects
difficulty concentrating / slower thinking tired lower sex drive can't feel pleasure increased appetite symptoms last 7-10 days
45
Marijuana + short term effects
Psychedelic Aka pot Low doses Sense of well being Alter perception of space and time Heighten senses High doses Transient memory impairments Task and speech impairments Psychosis (losing touch w reality)
46
Marijuana chronic effects
Deficits in respiratory function cuz smoke it (more likely to develop chronic cough, bronchitis, asthma) Risk for dependence
47
Marijuana medicinal uses
Pain, weight loss, and nausea from cancer Chronic pain Multiple sclerosis Inflammatory bowel disease Arthritis HIV/AIDS infection Seizures in epilepsy Pain from spinal cord disease

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